BBC Radio London rugby union commentator Andy Rowley:
Six Premiership titles, three Champions Cups – the numbers are staggering – as is 15 years as a director of rugby at a single club (a nod to Rob Baxter at Exeter).
It feels like the end of an era, although with Brendan Venter coming in it’s more like things have come full circle.
While Mark McCall has overseen this period of dominance, Venter laid the platform when he arrived at the club with chief executive Ed Griffiths.
The team spirit that was built then has served the club well in the McCall era where international stars and the homegrown “Class of 2008” had a togetherness and will to win that brought so much success.
McCall was always the steady presence at the club during success and crisis and would never lose sight of the main objective.
While he might have been seen as gruff and guarded by outsiders, it is clear and obvious how well loved he is at the club. So many players owe him a debt of gratitude, not just for the success but also for his careful handling of their careers and the genuine care he showed for their wellbeing.
Venter won the World Cup as a player with South Africa and was renowned in his playing and coaching career for being determined, uncompromising and focused. It will be interesting to see how his return to the DoR role after all these years pans out.
